10 Best Shower Enclosure Reviews in 2018

Finding the best shower enclosure for your bathroom becomes a big deal, if efficiency and style are what you are after in your showering area. As much as it might be easy to select the shape of the shower, other components matter as well, and that would include the space at hand, sustainability and so much more. Today’s article and shower enclosure reviews seeks to give you an in-depth view of all you need to know about best shower enclosures for your bath.

Ove Decors Breeze 31 Shower Kit with Acrylic Base Review

Ove Decors manufacturers are giving DreamLine a run for the best shower enclosures customers’ favorite in the market, with their Ove Decors Breeze 31 withwalls Premium.

The product comes with a potent 6mm tempered transparent glass door that stands to offer durability and incredible airy shower experience you desire.

It also contains a complete premium shower kit that would provide you with lots of convenience in your bathroom. They include the acrylic base and walls, coupled with an attractive sliding glass door for easy maneuvering.

With this Ove Decors shower enclosure comes a shower door which can be installed to left or right-side opening, and that stands to offer its user’s installation flexibility.

Its panel contains a side installation and has a kit handle and are resistant to damage, hence can serve you for a lifetime with proper care.

You can comfortably fit this item at any corner of your bathroom and get to enjoy its outstanding features right away.

It also comes with a long-lasting door swing of 24.625-in complete with a chrome hardware finish.

With this Vigo product, you receive robust glass support for your out-of-plumb bathroom walls while enjoying the view of the outdoors and other surrounding environments through the transparent tempered glass.

Additionally, the door installation provides a lot of flexibility with its left and right reversible components, complete with strategic placement of a central entrance for ease of passage.

The construction of this shower enclosure out of pure brass with stainless steel moving parts to guarantee durability and reliability.

There is also a single water deflector that redirects water to the shower insides for better functionality.

Choosing the Best Shower Enclosure; What to Consider?

Choosing between a shower door and a shower enclosure isn’t a simple choice for most homeowners. So when you finally settle for the shower enclosure, the next obvious step is to make up your mind on what would perfectly suit your needs. But what should top your list of consideration?

First, you have to pay keen attention to the budget you have at hand. As much as you would want the best for your home, you wouldn’t want to overspend. Once you have the budget at hand, you can now ask yourself the following questions;

How many walls do I have available?

The number and size of walls you have will go a long way into determining the type of, shower enclosure you would get. And it doesn’t stop there; the options also stretch to the shape of the enclosure and the size. For instance, you cannot compare the flexibility that comes with two walls with that of one wall.

A single wall gives only two options of a three-sided or d-shaped enclosure. On the other hand, with two partitions, you can have a quadrant, bow front, sliding doors, pivot doors, etc.

What’s the bathroom height?

Since the standard size of a shower enclosure is around 1850mm-1900mm, it’s only fair that you place this into consideration in your search for the perfect shower. However, don’t forget to keep in mind the height of the shower tray. Make sure you leave an allowance between the shower enclosure and the ceiling to allow the flow of fresh air as you bathe.

How much space do I have?

Once you have thought of the perfect location for your shower enclosure, it’s time to consider the space you would like to utilize. Having a vast area would ensure your comfort and elevate your shower experience. For example, having a glass door swinging right into other fixtures such as the toilet seat is not only risky but also gives a messy look, something that you would like to avoid. The same case applies to slide, and rolling doors as safety measures are a significant part of sleek outlook.

Remember to pay particular attention to warranty details, once you’re satisfied with your selection. And the guarantee period differs across manufacturers, most of them offer a decent period.

Does the shower tray waste require new plumbing?

Having a waste pipe in line with the location of your shower enclosure would be an excellent way to achieve convenience. There are two great ways to handle this, and they include having a direct connection of the tray waste to the main soil pipe or through a second pipe leading to the soil pipe.

Either way, if you desire to achieve a neat look, ensure you conceal the pipes well, within the surfaces(s)

Tips on Choosing a Shower Enclosure

The Door Styles

Pivot Doors; also commonly referred to as swinging doors, this type of entry has a smooth construction that allows it to open outwards without strain. Although some people opt to use the pivot door on large spaces, it makes an ideal pick for small areas that feature a small entrance door. With this type of entry, you get an excellent combination for your glass shower enclosures that would reveal a clean and contemporary outlook.

The Sliding Door; just like other shower enclosures, these come with a wide variety of price and shape options for your preference. The sliding door also works perfectly in small spaces so you wouldn’t have to worry about a significant appearance for your bath area. However, you have to ensure you purchase a door that’s water resistant to ensure it closes and opens quickly, considering its frequent exposure to moisture.

Hinged doors; if you love a little bit of flexibility, then you would probably like the hinged doors. They offer you the option to fix them into opening inwardly or outwardly and are an excellent pick for neo-angle shower enclosures. The secret to the durability of these type of doors lies in their rust-resistance and anti-leakage capabilities, so be sure to examine on the same before you purchase.

The Shapes of the Enclosure

Curve-shaped; just as its name suggests, this type of enclosure curves either inwardly or outwardly to give an attractive outlook for your bath. Their construction is generally of high standards, and it incorporates all the necessary precautions to ensure you get value for your money.

Square/Rectangular-Shaped; these are the kind of enclosures that you would probably find in most homes. The reason for this could be the flexibility they offer I terms of space exploitation and the various designs they offer. And whereas the rectangle enclosures make a perfect match for large spaces, their squire counterparts work best I small rooms.

Neo-Angle; this type of enclosures are common in households with a stand-alone shower. With the neo-angle shower enclosure, you can flexibly work with a hinged door with an option to install the opening either to the right or left side. If you are working in small spaces, you can opt to place the door in the middle of the neo-angle enclosure to ensure convenience and a better bathing experience for yourself/ family.

The Type of Glass

Typically the type of glass door you select for your shower enclosure is purely your choice and might heavily depend on the budget at hand. Whichever case, however, ensure to go for a long-lasting option that would save you on frequent maintenance and replacement costs.

We came up with a fantastic list of tips to guide you in decision making;

You don’t have to spend much to get quality glass. For instance, a 4mm-6mm pick would work perfectly fine if you’re working on a tight budget or doesn’t prefer thick glass.

When settling for the design, keep in mind that the larger/curvier it gets, the thinner its glass construction gets. So if you prefer a thicker version, it would be advisable to go for medium size.

An excellent combination of durability, safety, and cleaning convenience comes with thicker glass choices of around 8mm-10mm. Therefore, you now know what to go for in case you have a large budget and prefer long-term durability.

Keeping in mind that a shower is one of the most water-prone areas of your bathroom, it would be wise to settle for a safety toughened glass.

Do I need a Tray?

Shower enclosures come in various designs with some including trays while others come without trays. So if you’re about to include one in your collection, you have to thoroughly consider their pros and cons and choose what would benefit you most.

To begin with, a shower enclosure with a tray makes the installation process pretty simple for you as the tray provides room for shower door fixing. And since the door fits perfectly into space, it places the area into maximum utilization, thus minimizing water leakages as you take a shower.

However, if you decide to purchase both the tray and the enclosure separately, you should take a keen interest in the tray size and that of the door to ensure they are highly compatible. So the answer is a definite, yes. You need a tray to avoid the water mess throughout your bathroom as this can be dangerous.

Is it a must to tile?

Although most people prefer tiles for their bathrooms, it doesn’t necessarily make it a must do a thing if you aren’t comfortable with it as you can always choose to be unique. However, for hygienic reasons you might want to consider at least tiling the shower section if the entire bathroom tiling appearance doesn’t appeal to you.

Here are a few guidelines you need to keep in mind when that tiling moment comes;

To ensure the protection of the walls and the floor of a wet room, make sure you have tiling plans in place to avoid damaging the walls. The option is essential if you are planning to have an all-around enclosed area. Nevertheless, a walk-in shower would save you on the floor tiling expenses with the installation of a tray.

A recess shower calls for extra precautions that would include proper tiling of the shower area walls. It’s therefore vital to consider this to ensure you get the right type and amount of tiles that would cover the necessary space while leaving room for the tray.

Which way should I hand fit? Left or Right?

Before you decide on the opening and closing formulae for your enclosure, ensure you have everything including the available space and surrounding fixtures in mind. For example, you would want to avoid placing an opening towards the toilet door, shelf stand or other substantial obstructions. Once you get to figure all of this out, you can now decide on the perfect location for the tray and get to maximize on the space.

The Thickness of the Glass

As we had mentioned earlier, the thickness of the glass dictates its durability. So if you want value for your money, you can always settle for the 4mm-10mm glass thickness range.

The fantastic 4mm shower enclosures; although they might not be as thick as you might prefer, this type of glasses guarantee value for your money. Go for a body construction of aluminium frames, and you would never go wrong. They should be easy to install and give a sleek look.

The Luxury 8mm Enclosures; this type of enclosure glasses are made up of a premium body construction, and their finishes are highly polished for a long-lasting shine. They come in either brass or aluminium and make a perfect fit for contemporary bathrooms.

The high-quality 6mm shower enclosures; here you get the variety of designs and sizes that you want to work for both small and large spaces. They offer better durability than the 4mm ones and contain thick-polished profiles.

The 10mm premium Shower enclosures; this one is best for wet rooms, walk-ins and showers. You can choose to have them frameless and make use of the wide variety of sizes. Their floor locators and support arms have to be of a stiff material such as brass.

Various Types of Shower Enclosures

When it comes to shower enclosures, you get to select from multiple designs and sizes just like other bath fixtures. Here are a few collections of what to expect in the market;

Quadrant Shower Enclosures

This type give you a variety of options to suit your space and style. Their design is also a plus as they work best with small areas, a case that’s very evident with the sliding door enclosures. And since they offer excellent glass thickness options, you get to a durability guarantee.

Frameless Shower Enclosures and Doors

If you’re searching for something modern to blend in with your sleek style, then this could make a great option. The frameless enclosures and doors give your bathroom space a neat look with a lot of freshness.

Sliding Doors and Shower Enclosures

Having a sliding door in the bath area brings a lot of conveniences not only because it offers simple navigation but also due to its ability to save up on space. You can choose this kind of enclosures when you want effortless access to the shower or when you have children/elderly in the house.

If you want an open bathroom with less privacy and a touch of freshness and connectivity to the outside world, then you can go for a glass sliding shower door. Here you can either go frame/frameless with the already available varieties in the market.

Space Saving Shower Enclosures

The aspect of space saving is usually at the center of homeowners working with limited space. So in most cases, individuals would go for D-shaped shower enclosures that are easy to compact into a small space. With this type, comes to the D shaped try and glass construction that offers ample space in areas surrounding the shower. Hence you get to have a memorable shower experience. And just like other accessories, you would find them in different designs and finishes to complement your décor.

Hinged shower enclosures and doors

Hinged shower enclosures give your bathroom an attractive modern feel that would make you want to brag to your friends. If you settle for this type, choose one with long-lasting handles such those with chrome finishes to last you a lifetime. With this type of doors, you can experience the airy outdoor atmosphere right at the comfort of your shower stand and get to enjoy the sensational feel of water washing away the frustrations of the day. They also offer their users unique features that would ensure they stand out from the crowd.

Bi-fold door enclosures and doors

As their name suggests, this kind of entry is a favorite pick for homeowners with less bathroom space. The door folds within the shower area, thus saving up on the coverage of their stretching counterparts. You can go for this shower enclosure if you feel you require more space at the entrance of the cabinet without necessarily moving in the way of other surrounding fixtures.

Pivot Shower enclosures and doors

Due to the flexibility, they offer during the installation process; it’s no doubt as to why pivot shower enclosures make to the top list of the most preferred household shower enclosures. Customers of various pivot doors manufacturers get the chance to select between the right, left and center pivoting options something that most doors don’t offer.

Their designs allow the use of hinges, although it all depends on the size and shape of bath you have in place. However, it would be an excellent idea to consider the placement of other surrounding area accessories, since you will rarely find an inward opening pivot shower door.

You can purchase them, in different finishes such as chrome and frosted glass, which will provide you with a long-term service.

Shower Cabins

A shower cabin offers a thrilling gateway shower experience in one of your favorite homerooms. For most manufacturers (if not all). The cabin comes with a fantastic combination of essential top-notch showering system that ideally comprises of adjustable body jets, standard shower kit, towel holder, mirror and even a bench. Think of it as a modern less expensive and flexible Jacuzzi in your space! Who doesn’t like the idea, right?

Combine all these with the frameless glass finish, and you will have more reasons to arrive home early for your “spa” date.

Installation Procedure of a Shower Enclosure

Installing a shower enclosure shouldn’t be difficult if you already have some masonry skills and aren’t afraid to get your hands dirty.

Nevertheless, you can hire a professional to do the work, and you get to enjoy the outcome.

Better yet, if there is someone who wouldn’t mind lending a helping hand, you can opt for that as well. The bottom line here is to get it all done and ready for use as soon as possible. So if you’re up to the challenge and would like to showcase your prowess, then here are a few initial steps to guide you through the thrilling journey. Enjoy

Make prior preparation of the installation location; before you even think of going to the market to get your favorite shower enclosure, take time to figure out a strategic position for it, as this is one of the preparation steps.

After that, you can now conduct a few plumbing procedures such as drilling holes where necessary and get the right waste managing pipes in place. Remember to also decide on the type and size of tiles you would require.

Base and Wall Panels Installation; the shower base should at least contain a 1-inch layer. You can then attach the walls to the drill holes with the help of a friend and secure them in place with quality nails.

Securing the hinges and frames; this applies to showers that contain panels and frames. Vertical structures fit best on glass panels. Now secure everything else before fixing the shower heads and remember to test its tightness.

Additional Extras

There are various extras you might want to consider in your bathroom renovation.

Shower systems; shower systems add luxury to your shower enclosure. They offer you a variety of shower parts to give you a memorable showering experience.

Shower Panels; this is another part that you shouldn’t ignore. Shower panels rejuvenate your bathing experience by eliminating the monotony of the traditional shower system.

Digital Shower Controllers; always remember extras such as digital showers. They make it simple for you to regulate the temperatures and shower flow, for a thrilling experience.

Rainfall Head Showers; showers are the fastest way to clean up. But a rainfall head shower ensures you enjoy every bit of it.

Body jets; if you love your spa dates, then a home Jacuzzi experience could do you great with body jets extras. And with the various designs in the market, you can never run out of incredible lifestyle befitting choices. Ensure to get comfortable to clean ones.

Shower Faucets; this part of bathroom fixtures is another extra you should keenly address. The best shower faucet should give a boost to your décor.

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